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D. P. HEATH REFRIGERATOR AND REFRIGERATING APPARATUS" Original Filed'A ril s, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Del 0s F. HmTh Nov. 17, 1931.

V p. P; HEATH REFRIGERATOR AND REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Original Filed April 6. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 noe 1 (01- elos P. HeuTh Nov. 17,- 1 931.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 noexftor bales Tieoiim D. P. HEATH Original Filed April 6, 1925 s U T A R A P P A G N I T M E G m F E R D N A R 0 T m E G I R F E R Nov. 17, 1931. 4 D. P. HEATH Re. 18,253

REFRIGERATOR AND REFRIGERATI-NG APPARATUS Original Filed April 6, 192 5 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 was? eomy &5- W W PATENT OFFICE DELOS P. HEATH, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

REFRIGERATOR AND mamnm'rme APPARATUS Original No. 1,728,488, dated August 27, 1929, Serial No. 20,912, filed April 8, 1825. Application for retina filed September 8, 1930. Serial No. 480,603.

bined functions of a vertical partition to disvide the box into compartments, serves as a support for the shelves used, and absorbs heat to thereby cool the interior of the box. One primary object and purpose of the resent inventlon is to provide a refrigeratin frigerator box, serves as a vertical partition for the same doing away with the usual partial vertical partition required in refrigerators and so constructing the unit thatthe part thereof which serves as the partition may be located at any desired point so as to divide the box into compartments of either 0 equal or different sizes and to seal them from each other. v

A further object of the invention is to construct a refrigerating unit which may be made, assembled and charged at its place W of manufacture, with the-"manufacture'of boxes in which it is to be installed at another place orfactory, the refrigerating unit being capable of shipment while incompletely assembled and chargedcondition and, then readily installed in the refrigerator boxes.

A still further object of the invention and one of importance resides in the construction of the refrigerating unit and particularly in the tank construction thereof, which n, is of novel form and comprises many novel features of construction and arrangement of parts whereby it is capable of a variety of uses. For instance the tank itself may be used in other places than as a part of a refrigerating mechanism though its construc tion is very well adapted for suchrefrigerating use.

Many other objects and purposes than those specifically stated will be apparent as an understanding of the invention is had from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, with some parts broken away and in section, showing unit which, when installed in the re tank.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of said tank. I

Fig. 4 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of a detail of construction relating to a plate adapted to close the front end of the upper part of the tank.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on the plane of line 6-6 of Fig.9.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section through the upper portion of the tank. v Fig. 8 is a similar section through the lower portion thereof. v

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical 'section taken on the plane of line ,99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal section on the plane of line 10- -10 of 8.

Fig. 11 is a front elevation ofa slightly using the same invention.

-Fig. 12 is a fragmentary enlarged front elevation of the construction shown in Fig.

11, the doors and front panel being removed,

and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of a slight modification in the construction for passing the refrigerant carrying ipes'.

. is adapted -to be closed by doors which may be opened for access to the compartments above the partition 2.

different form of refrigerator construction The horizontal partition 2 divides the refrigerator box 1 into an upper compartment 50 and a lower compartment 60. The lower compartment receives a compressor unit 70 mounted upon the base 71, said base tance below this arch a plurality of spaced apart horizontal ribs 8 are pressed inwardly from each side 6 preferably of the shape shownwhic h, as will later appear, serve a number of functions in the construction. Also near their lower edges the sides 6 are formed with inwardly pressed horizontal beads. 9. At the back this inner shell structure is closed by a back plate 10 and at the bottom by a bottom plate 11, the front being open.

Over the inner shell structure thusmade, an outer shell is located being formed from a. single plate of sheet metal and with alternate outwardly pressed ribs or corrugations 12 and connecting sections 13 between. This outer shell is formed into substantially U- shape with its arch locateda distance above the arch 7, making a chamber 14 at the upper end of the tank between the two arches. The outer shell is permanently connected to the inner shell by welding the sections 13 and the flanges 13 at the edges .of the other shell to the side plates 6 of the inner shell. It will be noted that the bottom 11 is formed with up-turned side flanges 11 and that the lower edges of the outer shell pass within the same and lie against the lower portions of the. sides 6, these parts being securely welded together. At the rear end of the tank the space between the arch 7 and the arch of the outer shell is filled by a filler plate 15 (see Fig. 2) and at the front by a member 16 (see Fig. 5) in which an opening 17 is made adapted to be filled by a head 18. from whichthe usual pipes 19 and 20 for conducting the refrigerant lead to the compressor mechanism of the refrigerating apparatus used in apparatus of this character.

The chamber 14 between the arches of the inner and outer shells as well as the spaces between the sides 6 of the inner shell and the outwardly pressed corrugations 12 of the outer shell are adapted to receive the refrigerant which may be of any desired type. The level of the refrigerant iscontrolled by the usual float 21 shown in Fig. 2. The mechanism. relating to the compressor and the control of the refrigerant, as it forms no part of the present invention, is not described in detail. Inasmuch as the pressure within the chamber 14 and to which the refrigerant is subjected is high at times the-structure has to be of considerable strength and at the same time should not be very heavy or bulky. With the corrugated outer shell shown this strength is obtained, and to brace and strengthen the inner shell the inwardly pressed ribs 8 and 9 as well as the arch construction at ,7. are

provided. In addition it will be noted that tion beside that of strengthening and re-' inforcing the inner shell and providing circulation passages for the refrigerant. And in the lower end of the shell a storage compartment indicated at 24 may be utilized. The upper compartment above the trays 23 is adapted to have its front end closed by a removable cover 25 and in this various articles of food or, drink may be placed and the same is true with respect tothe lower compartment at 24. In the. trays 23, if desired, water may be placed for the production of ice.

In order to facilitate cleaning the refrigerant holding chamber and spaces the front ends of each head 9 may be equipped with a sleeve 26 into the front end of which a plug 27 is screwed adapted to be removed for cleaning the tank should this become necessary. This is likely to happen but rarely when the device is used in refrigerating apparatus but it is evident that the tank construction is capable of use in other relations, as for instance in a boiler or as a steam or hot water radiator wherein clean-- ing out is of much greater importance. In fact this construction and its use in connection with refrigerating apparatus is technically a boiler, the refrigerant in liquid form boiling and evaporating readily with the reduction of pressure thereby absorbing heat from the outside and reducing the temperature of the surrounding parts, hence the refrigerating action and result.

The tank as thus constructed is adapted to be located vertically in the. refrigerator box and as one means of locating and securing it in place it is equipped with upwardly and downwardly extending angle brackets 28 at its upper and lower ends. Also ata number of points at its sides shelf supports 29 are secured and extend outwardly. Suitable suspension members 30 attached to the upper mesa , side of the refrigerator compartmentand connected with the 'upper brackets 28, and other supports 31 secured to the horizontal partition 22 and connected inany suitable manner with the lower brackets 28 locate the tank in place and hold it in desired position. It is evident that the tank may. be located midway between the sides of the refrigerator box or closer to one side than the other and also that there are open spaces both above and below the-tank for the free circulation of air in the compartment. Shelves 32 of usual type may be carried on the shelf supports 29'on the tank and on like supports projecting inwardly from the vertical sides of the refrigerator box.

When installed in a refrigerator the pipes 19 and pass below the partition 2, being roperly connected to the compressor unit 0, the recess or notch 3 permitting this pas sage and below this partition and back of the anel 4 is the usual compressor construction 0, 71, required I with refrigerating devices of this character. The pipes 19 and 20 are of flexible material, such as copper, and it is not only possible but very feasible with the exercise of proper care to assemble the entire refrigerating unit and charge the same, and then ship the unit in charged and operative condition any distance desired to a refrigerator factory where the boxes are made, the flexible pipes 19 and20 being coiled in connection-with the tank and compressor so as to occupy the least space. Then when the refrigerating unit reaches its place of installation, the pipes are uncoiled and straightened and shaped into proper shape for installation. The panel 4 and rail 5 being removed the insertion of the refrigerating unit into the refrigerator is very readily accomplished, the panel 4 and rail 5 being replaced and the rail secured in place.

In Figs. 11 .and 12 a slightly different form of installation in a refrigerator is shown and which is preferred. The refrigerator 1 has the same horizontal partition 2, front panel 4, said cross rail having a notch 3 therein through which the pipes 19 and 20 may pass equivalent in all respects to the notch 3 in the partition 2 first described. At thefront of the refrigerator a panel 33 is located in front of the tank and fittin against the same so as-to be substantially tight. On'this panel a hinged door 34 is mounted, the purpose of which is to gain access to the various compartments at 24 and 25 and the trays 23. Instead of the brackets 28 and the supports 30 and 31 being used to mount the tank, plates 35 and 36 at the upper and lower ends of the tank extending the full depth of the refrigerator are used. This divides the refrigerator into two entirely separate and independent compartments. It will be noted that the tank is located closer to one side of the refrigerator than the other and it will be evident that as the refrigeratin action of the tank on one com artment is t e same as in the other, the smaller compartment will be held to a lower degree of temperature than the larger. This is a very desirable feature in refrigerators and it is particularly desirable that various compartments in a refrigerator be had which are wholly independent and unconnected from the others. This permits the placing of certain articles, in one compartment and others in another in accordance with the desired temperature at which these articles should be kept. Moreover the interior space in the tank is wholly independent of either compartment in the refrigerator and the several compartments in the tank are independent of each other, thereby increasing the range and number of separate storage spaces in the refrigerator, each of which is independent of the other and does not have to be opened when any one of the others is o ened with a loss of efficiency. T he doors which are used to close the compartments, one at each side-ofthe tank, are independently mounted and may be independently opened and closed as is evident.

The construction described is very practical, is of light weight but of great'strength and with it iceless refrigerators may be very simply and economically produced. Of

course as stated before the tank construction is not limited in use to refrigeratorsalone but has many features of construction adapting it for a variety of other uses. The invention is defined in'the appended claims and it is to be considered as comprehensive offall forms of structure coming within their scope irrespective of the particular use 'to which put.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising, an inner shell having spaced apart sides and a connecting .arch at their upper ends, an outer shell having spaced apart sides and arch located over the inner 'shell, said outer shell at its upper end being disposed a distance above the upper end of the inner shell and being formed with alternate outwardly projecting corrugations and intermediate connecting port-ions between the corrugations and permanently secured to the inner shell whereby a chamber is-made between the arches of said inner and outer shells connecting with which are vertical spaces made by saidoutwardly extend.- mg corrugations between the same and thesides of the inner shell, means closing the said chamber at both ends thereof and a bottom plate extendingbetween the-lower edges of said shells and secured thereto, substantially as described.

2. In a device of. the class described, the

elements in combination defined in claim 2, sald inner shell near the lower edges of its ends bemg formed with horizontally located ,inner shell.

3. In combination in a device of the class described, an inner shell including spaced apart sides of sheet metal and an integral arch connecting portion at their upper ends,

an outer shell of sheet metal also having spaced apart sides and an integral connectmg upper arch portion placed over the inner shell, said outer shell being formed with alternate outwardly extending corrugations and intermediate flat connecting portions, said outer shell being pressed over the inner shell with the said connecting portions in the sides of the outer shell lying against the sides of the inner shell and with the'arch of the outer shell located a distance above the arch of the inner shell, whereby said connecting portions and the sides of the inner shell may be welded together, means closing each end of the compartment between the upper ends of the inner and outer shells, a bottom plate disposed between and connected to the sides of said shells at their lower edges, and a back 'plate closing the rear end of the inner shell, substantially as described.

4. A construction containing the elements in combination defined in claim 3, said sides of the inner shell adjacent their lower edges being formed with horizontal inwardly pressed beads, and adjacent their upper portions with a plurality of spaced apart inwardly extending horizontally located ribs, trays slidably mounted on said ribs, and removable means for closing the front ends of the spaces above and below said trays, substantially as described. v 5. In a refrigerator apparatus an ex ansion chamber comprising an inner shell aving spaced apart sides and a connecting arch at one end, an outer shell having spaced apart sides and a connecting arch at one end, said arches being spaced apart to provide an unobstructed chamber having arched top and bottom, one of said shells being corru gated, said shells being welded together-at contiguous portions between the corrugations and at their peripheries to form a chamber for the expansion of refrigerant.

6. In a refrigerator apparatus an expansion chamber comprising an inner shell hav .ing spaced apart sides and a connecting arch at one end, anouter shell having spaced apart sides and-a connecting arch at one end, said arches lying spaced apart to provide an unobstructed chamber havin arched top and bottom, one' of said shells icing corrugated, said shells being fastened between the corrugations and at their peripher'es to form a chamber for the expansion 0 refrigerant.

7. In a refrigerator apparatus an expan', sion chamber comprising an inner shell having spaced apart sides and a connecting plate therebetween, an outer shellhaving spaced apart sides and a connecting arch at one end, said arch and plate being spaced apart to provide an unobstructed chamber havin an arched top, one of said shells havin raised portions thereon, said shells being joined between the raised portions and at or near their peripheries to form a chamber for the expansion' of refrigerant.

8. In a refrigerator apparatus an expansion chamber comprising an inner shell having spaced apart sides and a connecting arch at one end, an outer shell having spaced apart sides and a connecting arch at one end, said arches being spaced apart to provide an unobstructed chamber havin arched top and bottom, one of said shells eing corrugated, said shells being welded together at contiguous portions between the corrugations and end plates at either end of the chamber whereby a chamber for the expansion of refrigerant is formed.

9. A sheet metal evaporator comprising, an inner one-piece shell forming a plurality of sides of a freezing chamber, an outer one piece shell having a header portion and side wall portions extending therefrom downwardly along the side walls of the inner shell, and co-operating with said inner shell to form a refrigerant expansion chamber, one of said shells being corrugated to pro vide passageways communicating with said header, and said shells being fastened together by fusion at contiguous rtions between their corrugations and sea ed together at or near their peripheries.

10. A cooling unit for mechanical refrigerator comprismg, an inner one piece shell bent to form walls of a freezing chamber or chambers, an outer one piece shell having an arcuate header portion and side walls extendingtherefromalong the freezing chamber walls, said outer shell header portion forming with a portion of the inner shell a header, one of said shells being embossed to provide passage-ways connecting with said header to form an expansion chamber for refrigerant. l

11. A sheet metal evaporator comprising, an inner sheet metal casing forming a plurality of walls of a freezing chamber, a one piece sheet metal outer casing co-operating with said inner casing to form a refrigerant header and refrigerant passage-ways leading therefrom along a wall of the freezing chamber.

12. A sheet metal evaporator comprising an inner sheet metal casing forming a plurality of wall-s of a freezing chamber, a one,

P1808 sheet metal outer casing po-operating mass with said inner casing to form a plurality.

of .refrigerant headers and refrigerant passage-ways connecting said headers. j

13. A sheet metal evaplorator comprising, an inner metallic sheet aving an intermediate header portion and headerportions on opposite sides thereof in spaced apart walls 1 ingin different planes, an outer metallic s eet having an intermediate header portion and header portions on opposite sides thereof in spaced apart walls lying in planes substantially parallel to the wallsof the inner sheet, one of said sheets being embossed with channels for refrigerant, said channels com municating with said headers, said sheets being superimposed together to register said header portions, and said sheets being fused together at contiguous ortions between said channels, 'the sheets being sealed at or near their peripheries to form an expansion chamber for refrigerant.

14. In a refrigerator, a compartment containing a cooling unit, a compartment containing a compressor-condenser unit, a partition between said compartments, operative conduits between said units passing to'one side of the partition and adjacent to a side wall ofsaid refrigerator, and means permitting the insertion in the refrigerator of said units and interconnections in assembled form in planes substantially arallel to said partition.

15. In a re igerator, a compartment containing a removable cooling unit, a machine compartment containing a removable refrigcrating medium circulating unit, operative interconnections between said units, the walls of the refrigerator having openings to permit the insertion in said compartments of said units and interconnections in assembled form, and removable panel means for said openings, said interconnections passing adjacent to a side wall and a top wall within said cooling compartment. 7

16. In a refrigerating apparatus an expansion chamber comprising an inner shell fabricated from a single metallic sheet and having spaced apart sides and a connecting portion, an outer shell fabricated from a' single metallic sheet and having spaced apart sides and a connecting portion, one of the shells being corrugated, said shells being joined together at contiguous portions between the corru ations and sealed together in the vicinity of t eir edges.

17. A sheet metal evaporator comprising an inner casing forming the top, bottom, and side walls of a freezing chamber, an outer casing fabricated from a single metallic sheet having substantial flat areas inwardly and in the vicinity ofits peripheries contiguous to said inner casing, said casings being fastenedtogether b usion at contiguous portions and scale togetherin the vicnity of their peripheries toprovide an expansion BI chamber for refrigerant.

18. A cooling unit for a refrigerator comprising an inner casing forming the top, bot-v tom, back and side walls of a freezingchan'iber, an outer casin fabricated from a single metallic sheethaving substantiall-flat areas inwardly and in the vicinity of its periphi cries contacting with said inner casing, said casings being fastened together by fusion at contiguous portions and sealed together. in the vicinity of their peripheries to provide an expansion chamber for refrigerant.

19. A heat absorbing unit for a refrigerator comprising an inner casing defining a freezing chamber, an outer casing fabricated from a single metallic sheet and superposed upon said inner casing to provide in conjunction therewith a refrigerantexpansion chamher, one of said casings being embossed along a side wall of the freezing chamber to provide passageways for refrigerant within said expansion chamber, said casings having portions spaced apart forming a refrigerant header connected to said passageways, said casings being fastened together by fusionwith contacting portions between said pas-' sageways, and being sealed together in the vicinit' of their peripheries.

20. n evaporator comprising inner and outer casings each fabricated from a single metallic sheet and forming at least three sides of a freezing chamber, said casings being nested together to provide an expansion chamber therebetween said casings having flat contacting portions inwardly of their periphcries and being fused together at such flat portions and being also sealed together in the vicinity of their peripheries.

21. In a cooling unit for a refrigerator, a plurality of elongated headers disposed at difi'erent elevations and a plurality of ducts connecting the headers, said headers and ducts being formed by and between .two sheets of metal, said sheets having flat contacting portions bet .teen the ducts connected by fusion and being sealed together in the vicinity of their peripheries. I

22. A sheet metalevaporator comprising an inner casing fabricated from a singlemetallic sheet forming two side walls and a wall connecting the side walls of a freezing chamber, an outer corrugated casing fabricated from a single metallic sheet, said outer casing being superimposed upon said inner casing to form therewith an expansion chamber for" refrigerant about the two side walls and the wallconnecting the side walls of said freezing chamber, said casings being fastened together at contacting portions between said corrugations, means to seal said sheets together at peripheral portions, the ends of the 125.

side walls opposite the connecting walls being fastened together by fusion.

23. In a refrigeratin apparatus, an inner sheet metal casing de ing a" freezin compartment, an outer casing fabricate from a. single metallic sheet cooperating with said innercasing. to provide an expansion chamber, one of said casings being corrugated to rovide refrigerant passa eways, said casngs being fastened toget er by fusion at contacting portions between the corrugations andbeing sealed together in the vicinity of their eripheries. 24. n

a sheet metal evaporator, an inner casin fabricated from a single metallic sheet and orming a plurality of sides of a freezing chamber, an outer casing fabricated from a single metallic sheet and-cooperating with said inner sheet to form walls of an expansion chamber, one of said sheets being corrugated to provide in conjunction with the other sheet passageways for refrigerant, and said sheets being fastened together by fusion at contacting portions between the corrugations and sealed together in the vicinity of their peripheries.

25. An evaporator for refrigerating apparatus, comprising wall structures fabricated of sheet metal defining a plurality of sides of a freezing chamber and including a header and ducts extending from the headerand one or more transverse corrugations forming passageways connecting said ducts.

26. An evaporator for refrigerating apparatus, comprising wall structure fabricated of sheet metal forming a plurality of sides of a freezing chamber and a wall of an expansion chamber, said wall structure being corrugated transversely to form a shelf-supportingledge, and a removable support for matter to be refrigerated having a substantial area in contact with said transversely corrugated portion.

27. An evaporator for refrigerating apparatus, comprising wall structure fabricated of sheet metal forming a plurality of sides of a freezing chamber and a wall of an expansion chamber, said wall structure being corrugated, and a metallic shelf extending between and fused to the sides of the freezing chamber.

28. A cooling unit of the flooded type, comprising a float chamber the sides of which are formed of walls fabricated from contiguous metallic sheets, one of said sheets being corrugated, said sheets meeting and contacting except for said corrugations and said float chamber sides and extending from the chamber to form refrigerant passageways and at least two walls of an. ice freezing chamber.

29/ A sheet metal evaporator comprising an inner shell having spaced apart side wall portions and a header portion and an outer. shell having spaced apart side wall portions and a header ortion, said shells being nested to ether with the header portions in registration to form a header, one of said shells having its: side-wall portions corrugated to provide refrigerant passageways connecting vbottom, one of said shells sion chamber comprising an inner shell av- I ing spaced apart sides and a connecting arch at one end, an outer shell having spaced apart Q sides and a connecting arch at one end, said arches being spaced apart to provide an unobstructed chamber havin arched top and being corrugated, said shellsbeing welded together, at contiguous portions between the corrugations and at their peripheries to form a chamber for the expansion of refrigerant, said arches be-' ing similarly curved, '31. An evaporator fabricated of sheet metal to form a liquid distributing and spreading chamber and a liquid and gas chamber at its upper portion disposed substantially parallel to and communicating for a substantial portion of its length with said liquid distributing and spreading chamber, portions of each of the said chambers contributing'to form the walls of a freezing chamber, the walls of the liquid distributing and spreading chamber being fused together at spaced intervals.

32. An evaporator for refrigerating apparatus including wall structure fabricated of sheet metal and forming a plurality of Walls of a freezing chamber, said wall structure including a chamber and closed corrugations forming refrigerant passageways communieating with said chamber, said passageways communicating with the lowest portion of said chamber. Y

33. For refrigerating apparatus, an evaporator fabricated of sheet metal enclosing an upper enlarged chamber and a plurality of dependent elongated ducts communicating at their upper ends with saidchamber, portions of said chamber and said ducts defining walls of a freezing chamber, said ducts being formed by corrugations in the metal providing a plurality 0]. lines .of contact between cooperating portions of metal and intermediate separated portions, said metal being in fused relation at spaced intervals'at the lines of contact.

34. In a refrigerator apparatus, evaporator walls comprising two sheets of metal shaped to form header walls and provided with corrugations to form refrigerant passagewa' s extending therefrom.

35. or refrigerating apparatus, an evaporator fabricated of sheet metal forming a plurality of walls of a freezing chamber comprising wall structure enclosing a refrigerant chamber and tube-like passagewa s extending from and communicating wit said chamber, said passageways beingformed by ing and spreading chamber andan elongated liquid and gas chamber arranged in substantially parallel relation to and commum eating for a substantial portion of its length with said liquid distributing and spreading chamber, the walls of the liquid distributing and'spreading chamber bein fused to ether at spaced intervals, one wa of said iqmd and as chamber being transversely corru- 9 gate to increase its stren h.

37 A sheet metal container adapted for a volatile refrigerant undergoin a change of state when heat is transfer-re through the walls of said container com rising two sheets of metal indented so as to ornr an elongated header wall portion and extending wall portions forming a lurality of channels connecting at one end to said header said sheets a being fastened together by fusion at contacting portions along lines defining said channels, and said sheets being. sealed together at or near their ripheries.

38. A sheet metal coo unit eom rising v a float chamber having sides formed y portions of two shells, each of said shellsbein fabricated from single metallic sheets, sai shells extendin in contacting relation from the float cham r, one of sa d shells being embossed at the extended ortion for refrigerant passage-ways; sai p -wa s connecting to said float chamber, said she s bein fastened together by fusion interinedi: ate t e peripheries of the extended portions,

' said shells ing sealed together near their edges, in combination with a float valve to regulate the flow of refrigerant into said float chamber; v p

This specification signed this 3rd day of- September, 1930, at Detroit, Michigan.

DELOS P. HEATH 

